Heavy metal is traditionally characterized by the loud, distorted sound of the electric guitar, the emphatic rhythms, the dense bass sound and the intense use of the drums.
The electric guitar and the volume and distortion given to it by the amplifier are a key element in heavy metal. [3] In the early 1970s some well-known bands began to use two guitars in their compositions. Leading bands such as Judas Priest and Iron Maiden followed this tactic, keeping one guitar for rhythm and the other for guide and solo. The guitar solo is a central and important element of a heavy metal composition.
Metal singers show significant differences in the style in which they sing. From the wide-ranging and theatrical voice of Rob Halford of Judas Priest and Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden to the cunningly vocal voice of Motörhead Lemmy and James Hatfield of Metallica to the grunting voice of Randy Lamb of At the Gates.
The bass provides the low frequencies, an element that offers the necessary gravity that characterizes the musical and sound style of the genre. [4] The bass as well as the guitar may have been distorted in its sound. The bass in heavy metal compositions is performed mainly with the fingers or with a pen and more rarely with techniques such as “slapping”, producing a more frequent (middle) sound and providing more freedom to the bassist to participate with a solo. The drum set is usually bulkier than other rock bands. [5]
In live performances, the overall volume is one of the most important elements. [3] Following in the footsteps of Jimmy Hendrix and The Who, who were the first to use two trumpets or pedals on drums, and are described as “The strongest (in volume) band in the world” in Guinness Book, the first heavy metal bands raised the bar. Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath guitarist) is among many who have suffered partial hearing loss due to the loudness.
Dominant element of heavy metal is its constant evolution in the various genres that make it up and much more experimentation, mixing different elements and musical influences resulting in the creation of new styles of metal music.
